ATLANTA – Carlos Ruiz says he would like to return to the Phillies. Ruben Amaro Jr. says he would like Ruiz to return to the Phillies, because what choice is there, really?

On a day the Giants took former Phillies outfielder Hunter Pence off the free-agent market by agreeing to a five-year, $90 million extension with him, Amaro was asked if he had interest in making sure his veteran catcher wasn’t at risk for moving on in a free-agent market that at the moment consists of him, Brian McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia … and that’s about it.

“As far as Chooch is concerned,” Amaro said, “he is a priority just because of the position. We don’t have anybody who is going to step in. (Cameron) Rupp has done a nice job. (Erik) Kratz, when he played, did OK. But I can’t anoint either one of those guys as an everyday catcher.”

The problem is whether Ruiz, who turns 35 in January, can stay healthy enough to be considered an everyday catcher himself. In addition to missing the first 25 games of the season after failing a second drug test, Ruiz also landed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

Just to put icing on the cake, the veteran probably won’t play in Sunday’s season finale because of a bruised hand. That would mean his season ends with 83 starts behind the plate … after having just 95 in an injury-truncated 2012. In the last two seasons, 17 players have had more plate appearances while playing catcher than Ruiz’s 741. However, only three catchers who have more plate appearances (Buster Posey, Yadier Molina and Jonathan Lucroy) have a higher OPS than Ruiz’s .824 in 2012-13.

“I hope I don’t have to go through (the free-agent process),” said Ruiz, who is in the final year of a four-year, $13.35 million contract that has been a bargain for the Phils. “But if nothing happens before the World Series, I’m going to see what the market is. But like I said, I hope to have something done before then.

“I don’t know where I’m going to be — maybe here or somewhere else. I hope here. It’s something I’m talking to my family about almost every day.”

Amaro wouldn’t specify if he had spoken to Ruiz’s agent, Mark Kligman, about extending his contract before free agency arrives. But he has spoken to Ruiz about it.

“I think that’s clear,” Amaro said when asked if he wanted Ruiz back. “I talked to him. He talked to me. I think mutually, we would like to continue the relationship. But again, it takes two to tango. At some point we’ll get together, negotiate, and see where it goes.”

Ruiz said he would like to play “five or six more years,” although it’s tough to envision him getting more than a three-year deal this winter. For catchers at his age and his level of play, Ruiz probably is looking at $7-8 million per year.

“I want to see what is there for me,” he said, “but at the same time, I want to win. I want to come back to the World Series. That’s my goal. It’s going to be a tough decision.”

Amaro plays coy when it comes to many of the decisions he has to make in the offseason, but he did not hold his hand close to the vest when asked if Kyle Kendrick would be tendered an offer in the final year of arbitration for the right-hander.

It seemed to be a foregone conclusion considering the Phillies’ lack of starting-pitching depth. But Kendrick became part of the depth problem when, after pitching so well entering the All-Star break (8-6, 3.68 ERA in 19 starts) he cratered after it (2-7, 6.91 in 11 starts) and finished the season on the disabled list with a sore shoulder.

Amaro made one more confirmation about the roster’s landscape when spring training arrives: Maikel Franco will be given a chance to compete with Cody Asche for the starting job at third base.

“I think he’ll be in camp,” Amaro said of Franco, who would be a non-roster invitee since the 21-year-old doesn’t have to be protected with placement on the 40-man roster. “We haven’t told him, but it doesn’t make any sense not to bring him.

“I won’t anoint Cody Asche as the third baseman, but he is a viable option. I frankly hope there is a great competition in spring training between Maikel Franco and Cody.

“They are both very, very good young players. A lot of it depends on how they handle it. Cody has handled himself pretty well. He’s a little tired right now, mentally and physically. He is an absolute viable option. Whether Maikel is or not, we’ll see what we have in spring training with him.”